Arizona Secretary of State


    ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE
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ADA Compliance Documents and Filings

State agencies have been given an extension of one year to be in ADA compliance (April 26, 2027). While the regulatory deadline is delayed, the requirement to provide accessible digital content is an ongoing obligation of state agencies. As many rules already codified in the Arizona Administrative Code are not in compliance, an agency shall, within the next year, move toward compliance and update its rules. An agency shall use the new templates as provided by the Division to help meet the compliance standards. Please refer to the Arizona Rulemaking Manual for filing and formatting requirements.

An agency filing notices shall adhere to ADA federal laws and standards when submitting electronic files (Word and rtf documents) with the Administrative Rules Division. As rules are no longer being filed on paper, these electronic documents are considered the permanent record. Notice filings being submitted for the Administrative Register shall be in ADA compliance with federal laws.
Compliance includes creating accessible Word and Google documents and pdf files. Because the Word and rtf documents filed with our Division are used for publication of the Administrative Register and Code, it is the filing agency's responsibility to comply with the law as our Office is merely the publisher of Arizona rules.
The Division advises rulewriters to consult an agency's legal counsel when preparing and reviewing a new notice for compliance. Agencies are advised to review rules already codified in a Chapter to ensure they meet compliance standards.

Resources

Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities

W3C Accessibility Standards Overview

State and Local Governments: First Steps for Compliance

Rights to Comment or Petition an Agency, Board, Commission, or G.R.R.C. about Arizona Rules

Right to comment on a proposed rulemaking
A person may comment when an agency proposes to make, amend, or repeal a rule. Information on how to comment is provided in the Preamble of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Register.

Under the law an agency may choose not to schedule an oral proceeding (speak in person, or web meeting) to accept formal (verbal) comments; however, a person may request that an agency conduct an oral proceeding on the proposed rule.

Information on how to request an oral proceeding is provided in the Preamble of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Register.

Right to petition an agency - Administrative Procedure Act, A.R.S. Title 41
A.R.S. § 41-1033 ~ A person may petition (ask) an agency to make, amend, or repeal of a rule codified in the Arizona Administrative Code.

A person may also petition an agency to review an existing agency practice or substantive policy statement that the petitioner alleges to constitute a rule. For more information, contact the agency.

PETITION THE SECRETARY OF STATE
If you would like to petition the Department of State, Office of the Secretary of State about rules in 2 A.A.C. 12 or rules in 1 A.A.C. 1, simply submit in writing:
  • The rule Section number or numbers to consider to amend, repeal, or make;
  • State why you want the office to consider to make the change or a new rule. For example: A change in standards or procedures codified in rule. Cite any applicable studies to support your case:

    • Include:

  • Your first and last name;
  • Street address, city, state and zip code;
  • Telephone number; and
  • Email address, if applicable.

    • Mail to:
    Office of the Secretary of State
    1700 W. Washington St, FL 7
    Phoenix, AZ 85007
    Attention: Administrative Rules

    Right to petition the Governor's Regulatory Review Council A.R.S. § 41-1033 provides that a person may petition Governor's Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) to request a review of a final rule based on the person's belief that the final rule does not meet requirements prescribed in A.R.S. ยง 41-1030 or whether an existing agency practice or substantive policy statement constitutes a rule.

    Contact the Council at (602) 542-2058 for more information or visit the Governor's Regulatory Review Council's website.